Vile Gash- Deluded 7"

Vile Gash's latest release, Deluded, is a teaser from their upcoming full length album on Youth Attack set to be released this year.  Yes the record is 2 songs and yes it is under 3 1/2 minutes of music, but damn is it worth it.  If every record was this good I wouldn't care if it were 1 minute long.  But of course that is why they call it a teaser and that's just what it is.

Vile Gash play abrasive, harsh punk in the vein of Aerosols, Salvation and SQRM.  Blisteringly fast, raw and heavy, this band is constantly progressing with their sound and continue to dominate the hardcore punk scene.

Keep a look out for their LP and make sure to pick up this 7" if you can because it's pretty much sold out.

Here's a live video of Vile Gash from a recent show:

Tracklist:

1. Deluded/Nothing Left

2. Everyday

The Ropes- s/t EP

This band was born from the ashes of the popular Chicago punk band, The Repos, essentially the same band and members.

This long-anticipated record was recently released on legendary punk/hardcore label, Youth Attack and sold out immediately.

This 7" is straight up raw, crushing and blazingy fast punk music without a care in the world.  Vocalist Aron Aspinwall's vocals are raw, ferocious and unforgiving.
This record will end before you know it and leave you not knowing what the hell just happened to your ear canals, leaving you wanting more and another listen.

Here is a video of The Ropes since there is no Ropes footage yet:

Track List:
1. Your End
2. Valium Cocoon
3. Collisious End
4. All Things will Come Undone
5. Heads will Roll
6. Low End Highs

The Marked Men- Fix My Brain

This record is straying away a bit from the hardcore theme of the past few record reviews.  The Marked Men play poppier punk in the vein of Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu and Jay Reatard.  "Fix My Brain", is the groups 4th full length LP and continues to show us that these guys know how to write catchy punk songs while sticking to their roots and being innovative.

Song after song, these guys bust out driving and catchy guitar riffs coupled with an-thematic and melodic vocal melodies.  While these songs may be catchy and fun, the lyrics are about real life problems, which makes sense since the members are older dudes.  Heartbreak and mental anxiety are often themes of The Marked Men's jams.

There are a lot of bands trying to sound like these guys nowadays but The Marked Men stand out due to their intensity, variation and lo-fi sound.

Another great album from this awesome and progressive band.  Definitely worth checking out.

Here's a video of The Marked Men:

Tracklist:
1. A Little Time
2. Sully My Name
3. It's Not A Crime
4. A Little Lesson
5. Wait Here, Wait For You
6. Sophisticate
7. Someday
8. Fix My Brain
9. Going Crazy
10. You Said Enough
11. Don't Look At Me
12. Sadist
13. Stay Home

Void- Sessions 1981-1983

This record is from the legendary hardcore punk band Void.  Basically a compilation comprised of unreleased songs, outtakes, b-sides and live songs from Void's short-lived yet extremely influential career.

This record has been years in the making and widely anticipated.  Finally, last month Discord Records, owned by Minor Threat and Fugazi's Ian McCoy, released these highly sought after songs.

All songs are remastered and edited in a way that sticks to the patented Void sound, yet updated to adapt to the times.

You know what they sound like and you want this record.  Get it now!

Here's a video clip of a Void show from 1983:

Track Listing:
Side A - Hit And Run Session, November 1981
1. Void
2. War Hero
3. Go South
4 Condensed Flesh
5. Controller/Revolt
6. Dehumanized
7. Suburbs Suck
8. Organized Sports/W.T.F.A.Y
9. Annoyed
10. Don't Wanna Be Like You
11. Black, Jewish, And Poor
12. Please Give Us A Chance
13. Protect And Serve
14. Time To Die
15. Self-Defense
16. Draft Me Please
17. Authority
18. All White Neighborhood
19. Halfway Boys
20. Wasted Party

Side B - Inner Ear Session, December 1981
21. Dehumanized
22. Authority
23. My Rules
24. Get Out Of My Way
25. Condensed Flesh
26. Organized Sports/Annoyed
27. Controller/Revolt
28. Black, Jewish, And Poor
29. War Hero
30. Go South

Inner Ear Session, June 1982
31. Dehumanzied
32. Get Out Of My Way

Live at 930 Club, February 13, 1983
33. Explode (live)

Live at Wilson Center, July 1, 1983
34. My Rules (live)

Omegas- Blast of Lunacy

This is the latest release from Montreal's Omegas and boy is it a good one.  With their huge NYHC (New York Hardcore) influence, this record really shows that side of the band.  Each song has hints of NYHC and good ol' street punk to combine the right amount of snottiness while maintaining a pissed off sound.  These characteristics make help make sense of the records title, "Blasts of Lunacy".  

It is often hard to keep up the momentum on a record this long (23 minutes), but they succeed in doing so throughout the whole thing.  There is no dull moment in this record and you should definitely pick it up.

This bands unique sound, paired with their insane live shows makes them definitely a group to keep your eyes and ears on in the future.

Here is a video from a recent show:

Track Listing:

1. Modern Glory

2. Psycho Circles

3. Kill For Control

4. Disgusting Fun

5. Blasts Of Lunacy

6. You Ain't Nuthin

7. Excessive Force

8. Peasant Dance

9. Absurd Visions

10. F.S.O.M.

11. Slam Skank
12. Sex Hero

Label: Parts Unknown 

The Rival Mob- Hardcore for Hardcore

Another band from Boston, The Rival Mob, have been taking the hardcore scene by storm with only one official release under their belt.  Hardcore for Hardcore is one of the best hardcore records of the year hands down.  Paying homage to their 80's predecessors, The Rival Mob play fast as hell, angry and aggressive hardcore with a message and a melody.

The band consists of an all-star line up of members from Mind Eraser, X-Files, Righteous Jams and Mental, so it's easy to understand why the do everything right.

Released on Six Feet Under, this 7" clocks in at under 10 minutes and 6 songs.  This 7" is essentially the material that was release on their demo tape but re-recorded.

Give this record a listen, you wont be able to stop and you'll never look back.

Here is a video of The Rival Mob at Chaos in Tejas.

Track Listing:

1. Hardcore for Hardcore

2. Mind over Matter

3. Face to face with our executioner

4. Tough Love

5. Minefield

6. Land of the Free

Mind Eraser- Conscious Unconscious

Mind Eraser have been at it for quite some time now and their latest release. "Conscious Unconscious", once again proves that these guys have still got it.  Hailing from Boston, Massachusettes, this 4 piece hardcore/power-violence group have proved themselves worthy to fans of the genre.

With their 3rd full length realease, Consciuos Unconscious takes the band where they have never been before.  The 2-song LP released on Clean Plate records continues the usual fast paced, rage filled sound that they have.  Some have compared the band to the likes of Neanderthal, No Comment and Noothgrush ( not a bad group of bands to be compared to) but I feel they have created their own signature sound.

The record is almost like a story, transitioning from a minimalist, yet heavy intro into a punishingly fast and crushing ending.  Sludgy at times, without allowing you to have a chance to take a break from the intensity of the rest of the song.

Mind Eraser continues to layer fluid rhythms with atmospheric metal riffs to will get you out of their chair and straight to their show, if you're lucky enough to catch them in your city.

One of the best records of the past 2 years for sure.

Here is a live video of them playing at CBG's

Track Listing:
1. Conscious
2. Unconscious

Label: Clean Plate Records